Bucks' Ford Is Cleared to Shoot a Few Baskets

MILWAUKEE — Point guard T.J. Ford of the Milwaukee Bucks shot baskets with his doctor's permission Saturday for the first time since bruising his spinal cord nearly 14 months ago.

"I was excited to finally be able to touch a basketball ... with permission," Ford said.

Ford was cleared to resume basketball activities last week, nearly a year after cervical spinal surgery. He was injured Feb. 24, 2004, when he landed on his tailbone during a game, the third time that he had temporarily lost feeling in his extremities on the basketball court.

Ford shot baskets at the team's training facility in the morning then again at the Bradley Center several hours before the game between the Bucks and the Orlando Magic.

"It was a big sigh of relief. But at the same time, I understand how much work I have to put in," Ford said.